In the spirit of the celebration of the Mardi Gras Season, the Sisters of the Order of Perpetual Indulgence will be undertaking a Living History Walk: this year they will be focusing on the public anonymous sex venues, beats or Chapels of Lurv of the inner East and CBD.
The Sisters have been undertaking these walks annually for over 27 years – with each of their walks focusing the Gay, Lesbian and Queer lifestyles in separate geographical areas of Sydney.

Sandy Bottom presents her 6th Instalment with Disco on The Green, presenting a range of local and interstate drag and transgender illusionist entertainers, International and local Glbti Dj’s and a fun social Mardi Gras Wrap Up Party for all the family. Offering Meat Raffles, Sandys Poof Bowling Competition, Gayest Lawn Bowls and Camp Tunes and Fab Foods, there is something for every age, and every gay in disco heaven.

Out in the Streets is a panel discussion to analyse Sydney's vibrant history of LGBTIQ activism.
Marriage Equality is the most recent issue to galvanise the LGBTIQ and broader communities into action. But ME is part of a much longer history, with victories on the road to equality won through the persistence of our activists and the resilience of our community.

A dynamic group exhibition that examines identity, sexuality, gender and reputation and challenges what those issues mean in Australia after the postal vote and its recent outcomes. Award winning Sydney based artist Guy James Whitworth presents current works selected from his favourite queer artists based all around Australia, an event which he describes as ‘less of a passing on of the torch, but more of a sharing of the talking stick. With so many artists referencing inspiration from the same events and cultural reference points, it’s amazing to see so many different styles and statements.’ Multi media artists such as Dan Gladden, Michael Willard, Andrew Batt-Rowden and Dim Fim (whose works are all featured above) head a stellar line up, in this not to be missed exhibition. The M2 Gallery in Surry hills will host a week long festival of events such artists talks and evenings of performance art, with dates to be announced closer to the opening night.

In November 1992, the Australian government overturned a longstanding ban on gays, lesbians and bisexuals serving in the Australian Defence Force. Transgender service would continue to be banned until September 2010. Yet, LGBTI people were serving in the military long before these milestones, with a range of experiences.

To commemorate 25 years since lifting the LGB ban, this exhibition showcases the history of LGBTI military service in Australia since World War II. The exhibition brings together photographs, objects, documents and the life stories of current and former service personnel to explore how LGBTI Defence members navigated their lives in the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army, and Royal Australian Air Force. The exhibition includes tales of lesbian subcultures, witch-hunts targeting homosexuals for expulsion, kamp men in Papua New Guinea, participation in Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and the changing Defence approaches to LGBTI service.

This exhibition derives from a larger research project on the history of LGBTI military service and is being co-sponsored by the Australian Lesbian and GayArchives and Sydney Pride History Group.

Relax at a luscious summer picnic in Enmore Park. Bring your kids, your dogs, your friends and a picnic lunch as we lounge about in the summer sun. Acoustic musicians, laid back DJs and chillout tunes will serenade us as we live our best damn lives. We’ll have a Mocktail bar and platters of fresh fruit – all for free. All LGBTIQ women are welcome. Don’t forget to bring your swimmers for the nearby Annette Kellerman Aquatic Centre.

This event is part of ACON’s #TalkTouchTest breast cancer campaign, and we would love to see you there.

Members of the "Little Sisters of the Nimble Finger" artist collective work their magic in clay, wood, paint, feathers and glitter to celebrate that first march down Oxford Street in 1978!

We celebrate the amazing artistic contributions of past Parade organisers, MCs, marchers, dancers, costume and wig makers and Queer "floatilla" decorators! We delight in celebrating the past and present LGBQTI communities and the sense of pride and joy it brings when we gather together at the exhibition opening with our resident Mother Abyss to sing ‘Ave Mardi Gras’ to the accompaniment of the piano accordion. We're still reeling in our stilletoes from our 2017 exhibition where we celebrated Marriage Equality (pre-plebiscite) with Ceramic Same-Sex Wedding Cakes: one of which was presented to Peter and Bon, that amazing couple of 50 years, lifelong activists, awarded the Order of Australia and famous for that first boy on boy kiss on ABC TV.

Forty Years of Fabulous Frocks believes that Gay Rights are Human Rights and there can never be too many colours in a rainbow! Keep the Date and celebrate with us in King Street (that thinks it is Queen Street) in Newtown at the Kerrie Lowe Gallery

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Roslyn Oxley9 Gallery is pleased to present seminal work Looking For Langston (1989/2017) by Isaac Julien, acclaimed British filmmaker / installation artist. The solo exhibition Isaac Julien: Looking for Langston will feature newly-conceived, large-scale and silver gelatin photographic works and Julien’s award-winning film. The film’s narrative focuses on the life of poet Langston Hughes and his relationship to fellow Harlem Renaissance artists. Its focus on a Black, Queer experience within the American cultural landscape retains its urgency and relevance.

Our exhibition coincides with a special screening of Looking for Langston in its original 16mm format at the Art Gallery of New South Wales on Wednesday 14th of February 2018 at 7:15pm. Following the screening, Isaac Julien will be in conversation with the Art Gallery of New South Wale's Deputy Director and Director of Collections, Maud Page. Referencing works by James Van der Zee, George Platt Lynes and Robert Mapplethorpe, the celebrated film is a lyrical study of the history of 1930s black-and-white African American photography and 1980s Queer cultures. The 1989 film is a landmark in the exploration of artistic expression, a hallmark of New Queer Cinema and regarded as a touchstone for the African-American Studies for nearly 30 years.

Isaac Julien's 1991 film Young Soul Rebels will also be screening for the Queer Film Festival at the Golden Age Cinema on the 18th of February 2018.Exhibition runs: 23 January 2018 - 3 March 2018.

Exhibition runs: 23 January 2018 - 3 March 2018
Exhibition opening night: 16 February 2018
Screening and 'In Conversation' at AGNSW: 14 February 2018, 7:15 pm
Screening of Young Soul Rebels for the Queer Film Festival at the Golden Age Cinema: 18 February 2018, 8pm.

'Telling Tales' Offical Book Launch at East Sydney Community and Arts Centre is now SOLD OUT

Telling Tales - 40 Fabulous Years of Floats, Fun, Fantasy and Fortitude of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Sydney portrait photographer, Richard Hedger, has shot 40 original portraits of members of the LGBTI+ community. In parallel, Richard has documented each individual’s personal story to tell of the ever-evolving role the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras has played in their life.

Portrayed in Richard’s book are the faces of the familiar, the famous and not so famous, of sung and unsung heroes both local and international. They are the images of people who have been brought together to share their experiences, thoughts, reflections, memories and insights with regard to the impact and relevance to them of the SGLMG. They consist of political activists, actors, academics, athletes, authors, carers, chefs, comics, designers, directors, DJs, editors, entertainers, entrepreneurs, historians, journalists, lawyers, performers, playwrights, photographers, politicians, professionals, retailers and stylists.

Each of them has contributed to the life blood of the city in which they live and love. They speak of what the SGLMG means to them and how they see its role as a powerful past, present and future influence on the LGBTI+ community and beyond.

One of the distressing consequences of the marriage equality survey was the reminder that some people view queer sexuality and family life as incommensurable. Yet the marriage debate also prompted the documentation and dissemination of highly moving stories of queer belonging within Australian families. Associate Professor Christy Newman from the UNSW Centre for Social Research in Health (CSHR) will review a number of qualitative research studies conducted at CSRH in which LGBTQ+ participants provided rich accounts of what family means to them and how they have overcome continuing prejudices to forge a sense of resilience and belonging in the context of family life.

The Story of The Girls is a high-camp exhibition of artworks resulting from 25 years of creative play between two gay best friends Ben Mercer & Tom Pender.

As young gay men in early 90’s Australia, Ben & Tom used Barbie-style dolls to develop a group of outrageous female characters known as The Girls.

Unconstrained by the homophobic world that Ben & Tom found themselves growing up in, The Girls became both their artistic muses and the outward expression of their inner drag queens - in doll form!

The Story of The Girls draws from a rich archive of creative material and features a selection of drawings, photographs, videos and handmade doll fashions. It seeks to tell an alternative story of friendship and self expression that hopes to resonate with and empower a queer audience, while also sharing a queer perspective with our allies.

Ultimately The Story of The Girls celebrates and honours a true friendship.

In the face of rising conservatism, and equality still very much a life-or-death struggle for many LGBTQI people around the world, Ben & Tom feel that now, more than ever, the world needs The Girls!

What does it mean to be Hercules in the 21st century? Artist Miriam Cabello offers a host of unique artistic responses to this ambitious question.

MLC Gallery at 5 Eliza St., Newtown hosts a compelling art exhibition with the aim of picturing the 21st-century Hercules. Brazenly titled Mythology: Where is Hercules? This exhibition features some of the finest figurative contemporary paintings of Australian heroes from the celebrated to the conspicuous.

Hercules finds its origins in Cabello’s 2011 exhibition held at the National Art Museum of Sport titled ‘Australian Aboriginal Boxing Legends’, highlighting Lionel Rose. American Sports Illustrated wrote of his 1968 fight in Tokyo,

“all across Australia that night people clung to radios as if the ringside announcer were Winston Churchill … women wept over Lionel Rose and men shouted … Lionel Rose was Hercules, Charles Lindbergh and the Messiah all rolled into one.”

From athletes to activists, 2016 Community Hero Rev. Dorothy McRae-McMahon’s portrait is included in the exhibition for championing acceptance and inclusion of LGBTI people in faith-based organisations for over 30 years.

This Herculean exhibition proudly celebrates the historic 40 years of struggles, triumphs and the beauty of acceptance and tolerance. Highlighting the sociological evolution of social justice, activism and diversity.

With 40 incredible years of passion, pride and protest, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade has grown to a bustling extravaganza that brings Sydney to a standstill, and shines a light on the issues affecting LGBTQI people around the world.

Elsewhere in the Gallery, take a tongue-in-cheek art tour with Verushka Darling, a life drawing class with dominatrix Mistress Tokyo as your model, or have a profound coffee cup reading with artist Nicole Barakat. Watch out for The Huxleys, whose iridescent and glamourous creations might pop out from any corner!

And don’t miss the chance to see the work of one of the most important figures in queer art history in the acclaimed exhibition Robert Mapplethorpe: the perfect medium. Emerging during the wave of gay activism and pride that also birthed the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, Mapplethorpe chronicled his deep involvement in New York’s gay scene and immortalised the idols of the 1970s and 1980s, including lifelong muse Patti Smith. Whether he was photographing a figure, a fetish or a flower, Mapplethorpe’s unflinching quest for beauty has an enduring political and artistic resonance.

Happy Mardi Gras! The Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony hosted by Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore at Sydney Town Hall is the first official welcoming event of the festival each year.

The rainbow flag originated in San Francisco about 30 years ago and was designed by artist Gilbert Baker for the Californian city's Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. Since then it has become a worldwide emblem of gay pride and gay-friendly areas. The red in the flag symbolises life, while orange signifies healing, yellow is for sunlight, green represents nature, blue stands for harmony and violet signifies spirit.

City of Sydney is proud to show its support for its many LGBTQI residents, workers and visitors. As a government partner of Sydney's Mardi Gras Festival, the City will fly the rainbow flag above Sydney Town Hall throughout the 2018 Festival from Friday 16 February until Sunday 4 March.

The ANZ Main Stage morning program will feature community performances from the NSW Police Band and the Swing Out Sydney dancers and the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir to start the day off. The official ceremonies start at midday hosted by 78er and broadcaster Julie McCrossin.

Mardi Gras legends Bob Downe and Cindy Pastel then take over proceedings as they host the start of an amazing early afternoon program of cabaret including performances by Shauna Jensen, Mama Alto, Greg Gould, Bogan Villea and Miss First Nations winner Josie Baker. Jordan Raskopolous then takes over the MC duties for a late afternoon, all women line-up of live music from Kira Puru and Asta. Two of Sydney’s iconic DJs Sveta and Kate Monroe will then get everyone up and dancing from the Main Stage from 5:30pm until close at 8pm.

Our signature event for the 40th anniversary celebrations, the Museum of Love & Protest looks back across four amazing decades and presents an immersive exhibition of original costumes, photographs, rarely-seen film and video footage, iconic posters, storytelling, music and artefacts. Presented in association with the National Art School (NAS), the Museum celebrates 40 years of love, protest, diversity, acceptance, humour, pride, family, passion and creativity.

The Museum’s theatrical design combines visual spectacle and moments of intimacy for visitors to discover the extraordinary stories, artists, communities and images of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Featuring interactive elements, the Museum invites visitors to contribute their own memories and stories of Mardi Gras for others to share.

Curated by Susan Charlton, the Museum’s theatrical design by Anna Tregloan combines visual spectacle and moments of intimacy for visitors to discover the extraordinary stories, artists, communities and images of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Costumes by Brenton Heath-Kerr, Ron Muncaster and Pip Playford all feature in the exhibition, on loan from the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, as well as costumes worn by Miss Ellaneous, Pauline Pantsdown, Bob Downe, Vanessa Wagner, Joyce Maynge, Peta Friend, AJ Brown, Ted Cook, Pisa Tufuga, and wigs by Maude Boate.

As a special treat, on Friday and Saturday evenings at 6pm, the Museum of Love & Protest really comes alive as fabulous Mardi Gras identities entertain you with their unique spin on Mardi Gras history.

Join us at the Bar for the Museum of Love & Protest to celebrate all that is Mardi Gras. Open for each Friday and Saturday night during the exhibition, the Bar is the perfect place to amplify the Museum of Love & Protest experience. Each night features a different era from Sydney’s queer dance floors, including classics such as Richard Weiss with Tudorstuart Friday 16 February, Heaps Gay Saturday 17 February and House of Mince Saturday 24 February. Save the dates now!

Family Workshops at NAS
Saturday 17 February
Kids $10/Parents $20

In conjunction with the exhibition the National Art School have created a range of workshops where you can come together as a family to learn new skills and techniques. Enjoy experimental drawing, costume-making and ceramics for Rainbow Families of all ages! There are three amazing workshops to choose between. Experimental drawing, costume-making and ceramics workshops for rainbow families! For families with children aged 6 and over.

A series of creative development workshops for First Peoples queer performers, facilitated by Black Foot (Alberta Canada), performance artist Cherish Blood and local guest artists. Workshop participants will be given the opportunity to perform as part of the Black Nulla Cabaret; a First Peoples’ queer performance event with local, national and international guest artists.

An international panel of influential thinkers and artists come together to discuss queer performance from First Peoples’ perspectives.

Facilitator:
Dr Sandy O’Sullivan: Associate Professor of Creative Industries at University of the Sunshine Coast,

Speakers:
Jacob Boehme: Creative Director of Yirramboi First Nations Art Festival and creator and performer of Blood on the Dancefloor (Sydney Festival)

Artists:
Cherish Violet Blood (Alberta Canada), Black Foot performance artist: Cherish Violet Blood is an actor, storyteller, natural comedian, vocalist and activist from the Blood Reserve, Alberta. A graduate of the Centre for Indigenous Theatre, Toronto, she trained with Micah Barnes, Vocal Intensive, Banff Centre and enjoys traditional hand drumming and contemporary singing. Blood has performed across North America with Material Witness, Spiderwoman Theatre, The Red House in Syracuse, NY; Making Treaty 7 by Blake Brooker and Michelle Thrush, Calgary; and Maria Gets A New Life by Cliff Cardinal. (https://nbto.com/project.html?project_id=555)

Brian Fuata- Pacifica performance artist: Brian Fuata is a Samoan writer and performance maker born in Wellington, New Zealand and works and lives in Sydney. Alongside his solo practice, he is part of the duo Wrong Solo with Agatha Gothe-Snape. Fuata has performed internationally and nationally, such as at Gertrude Contemporary, Melbourne (2017), Performa, New York (2015); Carriageworks, Sydney (2015); The Poetry Project, New York (2015); UnionDocs, New York (2015); Chisenhale Gallery, London (2015); Carriageworks, Sydney (2015); Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne (2014); Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney (2013); and Artspace, Sydney (2011). (http://www.ima.org.au/event/first-thursdays-brian-fuata/ )

Darlinghurst and Oxford St has forever been an iconic stomping ground for artists, queers, bohemians, and outcasts, whose influences delightfully combine to form this unique cultural hub. From the iconic gay bars, to live music venues and fiercely independent retail, artistic expression has always underpinned the Darlinghurst community, making it an unconventional and nonjudgmental space for everyone and anyone. Join us Saturday the 24th of February as we celebrate the Pink Mile with a collection of events put on by the local business and entertainment community. 2017’s highlights were live Shibari window displays, DJs performing on the street, burlesque dancers in display windows & drag cover bands, so you get the idea :)

There’ll be a string of free events within venues and the strip will be transformed to highlight the unique character of the spectacular Darlinghurst community. The event will be covered by local media partners at GAY RADIO & BBR, who will be also banging out tunes live on air from Taylor and Oxford Squares. All proceeds from the event will be donated to Twenty10 inc GLCS NSW, who provide social and mental health support, counselling and housing for Sydney’s LGBTIQA+ youth.

GRRR! Harbour city bears celebrates its 22nd year of incorporation with its festival the runs alongside Mardi Gras Bear Essentials 22 - just like the bingo call two little ducks 22 - WET. WET is a celebration of events for the hairy, larger man and their friends and admirers themed all around water. With a whirlwind program of 15+ events, there is something for everybody - and we mean everybody. We welcome all to come and party with the big guys - just like our bodies, we party large.

All our regular events like Underbear and Wet Furr are there, PLUS new events to get your heart pumping and hirsute bodies moist like a visit to Wet and Wild, a naughty night after at Wild and Wet and a reworked Friday evening event Bear Pit. You can buy tickets individually or as a pack, which gets you extras and member rates for the duration of the Mardi Gras season. Harbour City Bears and its members wish all a safe, but eventful, festival of gayety. WOOF!

APOLOGIES - EVENT CANCELLED

PROUDLY IN LOVE is Australia's first same sex wedding festival and expo that celebrates love, bringing together the finest and most sought-after wedding suppliers, unique venues, hotels and destinations along with the best entertainment, design, living and luxury travel. The inaugural event will be held at the iconic Fox Studios on Sunday, 25 February 2018. Across 150 stands, as part of the 2018 Mardi Gras Festival’s 40th Anniversary, PROUDLY IN LOVE will curate an expo that will inspire, influence and motivate you and the LGBTQI community to celebrate your love, and plan your wedding at your own dedicated event, so come and get LovedUp! www.proudlyinlove.com.au

A celebration of 40 years of queer art in Australia showcasing works by over 20 LGBTQI artists who have created sexy, thought provoking, stylistically varied works that subversively engage with the politics of identity, community and activism from 1978 to now.

The works range across painting, drawing, prints, posters, photography and multimedia. The exhibition highlights the role of queer artists in changing societal attitudes, subverting the politics around LGBTIQ and contributing to queer culture.

Artworks featured include those by renowned photographers such as William Yang and C. Moore Hardy and contemporary artists such as Lisa Anderson, Kim Leutwyler and Tina Fiveash. There is the opportunity to see works by artists David McDiarmid and Frances Phoenix, who contributed to the first Mardi Gras exhibition at Watters Gallery in Sydney in1978; as well as to be introduced to lesser-known, later generations of queer artists.

The exhibition also includes rarely seen photographs, posters and imagery from the 1970s and 1980s reflecting the fight for LGBTIQ rights, including the first Mardi Gras.

The exhibition has been curated by artists who participated in the first Mardi Gras.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, who are the traditional owners of the land on which our celebrations are held on. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.